Discharge tubes for projectiles



x Oct. 29, 1963 W. RIEDEL DISCHARGE TUBES FOR PROJECTILES Filed Jan. 18, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1

Oct. 29, 1963 w. RIEDEL 3,108,562

DISCHARGE TUBES FOR PROJECTILES Filed Jan. 18, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

Inventor Oct. 29, 1963 w. RIEDEL 3,108,562

DISCHARGE TUBES FOR PROJECTILES Filed Jan. 18, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor United States Patent 3,103,562 DISQHARGE TUBES FUR PRQEECTILE Walter Mariel, Bad Nauheim, Germany, assignor to Pintsch Bamag Alrtiengesellschaft, Berlin, Germany, a

German company Filed Jan. 18, 1962, Ser. No. 167,105 Claims priority, application Germany Jan. 18, 1961 Claims. (61. 1l4233) This invention relates to discharge tubes for projectiles and is more particularly concerned with discharge tubes for torpedoes, depth-charges, mines and the like.

Tubes for discharging torpedoes, depth-charges and mines and the like have an end closure means such as a flap which must be adapted to completely uncover the loading end of the discharge tube when the latter is to be loaded. The end closure means is generally hinged, preferably with a vertically arranged hinge pin, for easy and rapid operation and for reliable guiding during open ing and closing. Discharge is effected by means of compressed air or gas under pressure which is stored in a container which is arranged laterally on the discharge tube either in the form of a separate pressure bottle or in the form of double walls defining the discharge tube. In these known arrangements, the discharging gas passes through various valves and, after several changes of direction and variations in cross-section, into the discharge tube at the base of a projectile e.g. a torpedo, contained therein. This kind of gas path gives a poor aerodynamic efiiciency. The large gas inlet cross-section which is required necessitates a special constructional design of the tube body. The tube Wall interrupted for the entry of the gas must be strengthened so that the peripheral forces efiective when the torpedo is stationary and particularly during discharge thereof can be resisted by the tube body without the limits of elastic deformation being exceeded. The above-mentioned laterally arranged pressure bottles, and also the double-walled storage tube bodies, increase undesirably the spacing required between individual tubes in the case of multiple-tube units.

It is an object of the invention to provide a discharge tube for projectiles such as torpedoes, depth-charges, mines and the like which obviate the aforesaid disadvantages.

According to the invention, there is provided a discharge tube for projectiles such as torpedoes, depthchar-ges, mines and the like having an end closure means and a storage container which communicates through a shutoff element with a source of pressure medium and with the interior of the tube, the end closure means and storage container being adapted so as to be connected to the source of pressure medium by a movable pipe.

Preferably the end closure means is itself constructed as the storage container and the shutoff element is arranged within the container.

If a servo-valve is provided as the shutoff element then, according to the invention, a controlled main valve thereof is arranged in or on the end closure means, advantageously constructed as the storage container,and is connected to a controlling auxiliary valve outside the said end closure means by a movable pipe.

Alternatively, the shutofi element used can be a destructible diaphragm arrangement which is arranged in or on the end closure advantageously constructed as the storage container, and is released by a valve, switch or the like, outside the said closure by means of compressed air, a striker pin, an explosive cartridge etc. At the releasing operation, the diaphragm arrangement is at first only subjected to initial splitting, while complete bursting thereof, and thus the release of the entire throughflow crosssection is effected preferably by the pressure itself, possibly assisted by suitable pre-scoring, cutting or the like.

hid-8,562 Patented Oct. 29, 1963 on the hinge or hinge pin and connected to the aforesaid ducts.

Alternatively, or additionally, the movable pipe connection between the controlled main valve at the end closure and the controlling auxiliary valve outside the end closure can be taken in the manner indicatedhereinbefore through the end closure hinge.

A particular advantage of the invention resides in the fact that the compressed air or other gas from the storage container enters between the rear of the torpedo and the end of the discharge tube without any considerable change of direction, so that the desired discharging pressure in the tube is reached more quickly than is possible with known arrangements. As a result, the amount of gas used at each discharge is reduced. The construction according to the invention makes it possible, with pressure medium containers of the same volume as used in known tubes, to reach a higher final speed for the torpedo or other projectile when it leaves the tube. The invention also results in a considerable saving in space and costs, simplification in construction and increased working reliability, by the constructional utilisation of the end closure and its hinge arrangement.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, and to show how the same may be carried into eifect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows diagrammatically a cross-section of an embodiment of a discharge tube in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 shows diagrammatically part of a second embodiment of a discharge tube in accordance with the invention; and

FIGURE 3 shows diagrammatically part of a third embodiment of a discharge tube in accordance with the invention.

FIGURES 2 and 3 show only those parts of the second and third embodiments which are essential to differentiate them from the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1.

In all three embodiments, the end closure means for the loading end of the discharge tube 1 is constructed so as to form a storage container 2 for compressed air or gas under pressure, the storage container being formed, for example, of two substantially bowl-shaped shell members 3 and 4 connected together and sealed in airtight manner by sealing ring 5 which extends to the outside of the shell members. The embodiments shown are hinge mounted in known manner from arms 6 and 7 pivotally connected by a pin 8 which enables the 'end closure means to be pivotally supported on the discharge tube 1. As shown, the storage container is supported from the arm 6 for pivotal movement about an axis passing through pin 8, whereby the storage container may be moved from open to closed positions with respect to the end of discharge tube 1. v

The end closure means can be secured in the closed position (as shown in FIGURE 1) in a known manner by means of a bayonet joint which comprises a ring 9 which is mounted rotatably on the rear end of the discharge tube and comprises individual noses '10 adapted to engage over corresponding projections on the ring 5. Thus the ring 9 can be rotated to a position whereat the projection on sea-ling ring 5 will be accommodated in a plane beneath the noses and thereafter the storage container can be secured in position by rotating the ring 9 to a position whereat the noses overlap the projections on the ring 5 as shown in FIG. 1. The storage container 2 can be filled with compressed air or other suitable gas through a pressure pipe 11 which is in communication with a source of compressed air or a manifold (not shown) and contains a shutoff valve v12. A pressure relief valve 13 and a pressure gauge 14 can also be connected to the pipe 11. The pipe 11 contains a movable portion and/or can be taken through one or more of the arms 6, 7 and hinge pin 8 (FIGURE 1 shows schematically an arrangement whereby the air is introduced into the container 2 through arm 7). The arrangement of the pipe 11 is such to permit the arm 7 to be pivotally moved relative to arm 6 about hinge 8 while maintaining a connection through pipe 11 to the source or manifold. The arrangement in FIG. 1 contemplates a pipe 11 with a movable portion which may be telescopic or flexible to enable pivotal movement of the arm and container 2 therewith about hinge 8. When the air is taken through the arms 6, 7 and/or pin 8 the relief pressure valve or the pressure gauge or both parts can be fixed to the hinge mounting. Alternatively, they can be fixed directly to the outer shell member 4. Furthermore, in order that the storage container 2 can have moisture or other fiuid removed therefrom or in order to relieve the pressure, when desired, there can be provided a pipe 15 which has a valve 16 and which conveniently proceeds from the lowest point of the container or is extended within the container to the lowest region thereof.

Referring now to the embodiments shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2, the shell members 3 and 4 are formed with central apertures which are provided in the inward direction with a valve chamber 17 and discharge means constituted by a conical outlet nozzle 18, respectively, the latter terminating in a valve seat 18a in the valve chamber 17. The chamber 17 is closed externally by a cover 19 and the outlet nozzle has a downstream distributing member 20. The chamber 17 is provided with a pistontype valve member 21 which is pressed by a spring 22 against the seat 18a. In front of the piston valve member 21, the chamber 17 has ports 23 leading to the container 2, while behind the piston valve member e.g. at the cover 19, there is provided a pipe connection from which a pipe 24 leads to a distant control valve 25 (FIG- URE 1) or 25a (FIGURE 2). A relatively narrow aperture 26 in the piston valve member ensures a throttled pressure equilibrium between the two sides of the piston.

The purpose of the control valve 25 and 25a is to control the operation of valve member 21 via the connection of the pipe 24- starting from the container 2 to a venting pipe 27, and for this purpose contains a stemmounted valve member 28 (FIGURE 1) or 28a (FIG- URE 2), which is pressed against its seat by a spring 29 (FIGURE 1) and 29a (FIGURE 2). The air pressure in the pipe 24, assisting, in FIGURE 1, the closing pressure of the spring or acting in opposition thereto in FIGURE 2, the closing spring being designed accordingly. The opening of the valve in opposition to the pressure of the closing spring can be effected according to FIG- URE 1 by mechanical pressure on the stem in the direction of the arrow A and according to FIGURE 2 by a pulling :force acting in the direction of the arrow B.

The embodiments shown in FIGURES l and 2 operate in the following manner:

When the storage container 2 is filled with compressed air through the pipe 12, the pressure upstream of and downstream of the piston valve member 21 is continually balanced by means of the throttling aperture 26 so that the piston is held on the seat by the closing spring. After filling has been completed, as soon as the valve 25 or 25a is opened by pressure in the direction A, or by pulling force in the direction B, the chamber below the piston 21 is relieved of pressure substantially more quickly than air can flow in through the throttling aperture 26,

so that the positive pressure in the container lifts the piston away from its seat. The stored compressed air can then flow by the shortest path and without any considerable change of direction through the ports 23 and the outlet nozzle 18 into the discharge tube. The distributing member 20 ensures that the air is suitably distributed so as not to stress the rear of the torpedo or other projectiles unduly.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, a pressurecontrolled bursting diaphragm arrangement is provided in the storage container 2a instead of the piston valve. This arrangement comprises a diaphragm ring 31 which is pressed by an annular nut 32 against the inner end of the outlet nozzle 18. The diaphragm ring 31 is provided with two diaphragm foils 31a and 31b which bear on one another and jointly withstand the gas pressure forces. The space between the diaphragm foils communicates through ports 33 in the ring 31 with the surrounding annular chamber 34 and through a pipe 35 with a control valve 36. As in the previous case, the latter is connected to a pipe 24a which opens through the cover 19a. Ports 23a in the chamber establish communication between the chamber upstream of the diaphragm arrangement and the container 2a. The control valve is constructed as a change-over valve in order to connect the pipe 35 to the ambient air in the condition of rest and to the pipe 24a when actuated. For this purpose, the valve member 37 is pressed against its seat by a spring 38 and the hollow stem 39, which is independent of the said valve member, is held away from the valve member by a spring 40, so that the opening 41 at the inner end of the stem and a further opening 42 towards the outer end of the stem are covered and therefore the lower valve chamber connected to the pipe 35 communicates through the hollow stem with the ambient air. When the valve is operated by pressure on the stem in the direction of the arrow C, first of all the two stem openings 41 and 42 are covered and then the valve member is lifted away from the seat, so that the two valve chambers and thus the pipes 24a and 35 communicate with one another.

The arrangement according to FIGURE 3 operates as follows:

When the storage container 2a is filled, the forces due to the pressure in the container are first of all jointly resisted by the two diaphragms. But as soon as pressure equilibrium is established at the two sides of the lower diaphragm 3112 through the pipes 24a and 35 owing to the actuation of the control valve 36, the container pressure acts only on the upper diaphragm 31a to cause the same to burst, whereupon the lower diaphragm which is then alone subjected to the container pressure also bursts. The compressed air then passes unthrottled into the rear portion of the discharge tube and the torpedo or other projectile is discharged. Before the storage container is re-filled, the diaphragm ring 31 is replaced by a new ring, this operation necessitating merely the release of the cover 19a and of the annular nut 32 and the refitting of these two parts.

I claim:

1. A device for launching a projectile comprising a discharge tube adapted for accommodating and permitting passage therethrough of a projectile, end closure means for the discharge tube at an end thereof which is rear- Wardly relative to the direction of travel of the projectile, means hingedly connecting the end closure means to the tube and providing an open position for the latter in which the tube is entirely open rearwardly and a closed position in which the discharge tube is closed at the rearward end, said enclosure means including a closed container adapted for connection with a source of pressure medium for storage of the latter, an opening being provided in the container for establishing communication between the container and the discharge tube when the latter is closed by the end closure means and means normally closing said opening and effective upon actuation to open said opening to allow flow of pneumatic medium from said storage container into said discharge tube to cause ejection therefrom of a projectile accommodated therein.

2. A device for launching a projectile comprising a discharge tube adapted for accommodating and permitting passage therethrough of a projectile, end closure means hingedly connected to the tube, and defining a closed hollow container having a capacity to contain sufiicien t pressure medium necessary for discharge of said projectile, means for establishing connection between said container and a source of pressure medium and adapted for permitting movement of said end lclosure means relative to the tube, discharge means having an opening in communication with the discharge tube and another opening extending into the container and a controllable closure member for said discharge means for selectively interrupting communication between said discharge tube and said container.

3. A device for launching a projectile comprising a discharge tube adapted for accommodating and permitting passage therethrough of a projectile, an airtight hollow container constituting an end closure for said tube and adapted for connection to a source of pressure medium, discharge means having an opening in communication with the discharge tube and another opening extending into the container and a closure member for said discharge means for selectively interrupting communication between said discharge tube and said container, said closure member being a diaphragm member which is adapted for being ruptured under the pressure of the pneumatic medium.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein said discharge means is a pipe member supported in said container and said diaphragm is supported in said pipe member.

5. A device for launching a projectile comprising a discharge tube adapted for accommodating and permitting passage therethrough of a projectile, an airtight hollow container constituting an end closure for said tube and adapted for connection to a source of pressure medium, a pipe of conical shape having an end of smaller diameter opening into the hollow container and an end of larger diameter in communication with the discharge tube, and a closure member for said pipe for interrupting communication between said hollow container and said discharge tube, said closure member being a diaphragm member which is supported adjacent said end of smaller diameter for being ruptured under the pressure of the pneumatic medium. I

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 556,058 Huey Mar. 10, 1896 1,033,993 Davison July 30, 1912 1,656,249 Techel Jan. 17, 1928 1,985,184 Methlin Dec. 18, 1934 2,581,758 Galliano et a1. Ian. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 622,831 Germany Dec. 7, 1935 

1. A DEVICE FOR LAUNCHING A PROJECTILE COMPRISING A DISCHARGE TUBE ADAPTED FOR ACCOMMODATING AND PERMITTING PASSAGE THERETHROUGH OF A PROJECTILE, END CLOSURE MEANS FOR THE DISCHARGE TUBE AT AN END THEREOF WHICH IS REARWARDLY RELATIVE TO THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF THE PROJECTILE, MEANS HINGEDLY CONNECTING THE END CLOSURE MEANS TO THE TUBE AND PROVIDING AN OPEN POSITION FOR THE LATTER IN WHICH THE TUBE IS ENTIRELY OPEN REARWARDLY AND A CLOSED POSITION IN WHICH THE DISCHARGE TUBE IS CLOSED AT THE REARWARD END, SAID ENCLOSURE MEANS INCLUDING A CLOSED CONTAINER ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION WITH A SOURCE OF PRESSURE MEDIUM FOR STORAGE OF THE LATTER, AN OPENING BEING 